Random thought, Just moved here 14 months ago and It's a a small town city with about 14,658 people. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up.
7 upvotes
6 Replies
Mason
We moved here with our family and it's exactly what I was looking for. Schools in Fairview area are decent. Kids love it here.
38 upvotes
Gianna
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a teacher, 43, moved here 3 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Westside and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Summers can be brutally hot
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Chicago, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
35 upvotes
Leonardo Gutierrez
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
19 upvotes
Carter Gomez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 54, moved here 10 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Midtown and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The food scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from San Diego, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
10 upvotes
Sadie Chavez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 6 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Maple Ridge side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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